Signification
A house built long ago.
Contexte culturel
In villages, the 'palio spiti' is often made of stone and has thick walls to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. In neighborhoods like Plaka, 'palia spitia' are protected by law as historical monuments. Many songs use the 'old house' as a metaphor for a lost love or a childhood that can't be regained. It is common for the 'palio spiti' to be shared among many siblings, which sometimes leads to it being left empty if they can't agree on what to do with it.
Gender Agreement
Always check the noun. If you talk about a car (αυτοκίνητο), it's 'παλιό αυτοκίνητο'. If it's a door (πόρτα), it's 'παλιά πόρτα'.
People vs Objects
Never call a person 'παλιό'. It can be an insult, implying they are 'worn out' or 'useless'.
Signification
A house built long ago.
Gender Agreement
Always check the noun. If you talk about a car (αυτοκίνητο), it's 'παλιό αυτοκίνητο'. If it's a door (πόρτα), it's 'παλιά πόρτα'.
People vs Objects
Never call a person 'παλιό'. It can be an insult, implying they are 'worn out' or 'useless'.
The 'L' sound
The 'λ' in 'παλιό' is palatalized. Practice by saying 'leaf' but with your tongue flatter against the roof of your mouth.
The Village Home
If someone mentions their 'palio spiti' in the village, ask them which village. It's a great way to start a long conversation!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'παλιός'.
Το _______ σπίτι είναι στο βουνό.
The noun 'σπίτι' is neuter singular, so the adjective must be 'παλιό'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'The old houses are beautiful'?
Plural neuter requires 'τα' and 'παλιά'.
Match the Greek phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Basic adjective-noun matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Σου αρέσει αυτό το κτίριο; B: Ναι, μου αρέσει κάθε _______ _______.
Context refers to a building (κτίριο).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Old vs. New
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΤο _______ σπίτι είναι στο βουνό.
The noun 'σπίτι' is neuter singular, so the adjective must be 'παλιό'.
How do you say 'The old houses are beautiful'?
Plural neuter requires 'τα' and 'παλιά'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Basic adjective-noun matching.
A: Σου αρέσει αυτό το κτίριο; B: Ναι, μου αρέσει κάθε _______ _______.
Context refers to a building (κτίριο).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, 'παλαιό' is the more formal version of 'παλιό'. You will see it in writing more often than you hear it in casual speech.
Usually, yes. It implies the house is in bad shape. However, sometimes it's used affectionately for a humble home.
The plural is 'παλιά σπίτια' (pal-YA SPEE-tya).
There's no rule, but usually, anything built before the 1980s is considered 'παλιό' in Greece.
Only in the phrase 'παλιός φίλος' (old friend), meaning someone you've known for a long time. Don't use it to mean they are elderly.
'Σπίτι' is the common word for home/house. 'Οικία' is formal and used in real estate or law.
No, it's two words, but they are often used together as a set phrase.
You can say 'πολύ παλιό σπίτι' or 'πανάρχαιο σπίτι' (if you want to exaggerate).
Yes, it becomes 'παλιά', for example 'παλιά πόλη' (old town).
It comes from the Latin 'hospitium', which was neuter, and Greek kept that gender.
Yes, Greeks often use 'σπίτι' to refer to their apartment as well.
It depends on the tone. If you say it with admiration for the architecture, it's a compliment.
Expressions liées
παλιόσπιτο
specialized formA shack or a very old, broken house.
πατρικό σπίτι
similarAncestral/father's home.
καινούργιο σπίτι
contrastNew house.
διατηρητέο κτίριο
specialized formListed/preserved building.
παλιά πόλη
builds onOld town.
